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• Oba Ladoja seeks Yoruba unity, urges monarchs to emulate Ooni
From Taiwo Oluwadare
Oba Rashidi Adewolu Akanmu Ladoja. has commended the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, for his personal sacrifices to unite the Yoruba and other racial member groups with the larger Oduduwa race worldwide. He will be crowned the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland tomorrow on the famous hill of Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State.
He called on other Yoruba monarchs to emulate the Ooni, urging them to “focus on strengthening the cultural values and institutions that unite them, rather than those that divide them. People look up to traditional rulers not just for leadership but also for inspiration and protection.
“Kabiyesi Oonirisa, if we all come together with our ideas, with yours, we will have our way. And as God will have it, the President of the country is our son, and he has even assured me he will be present at my coronation ceremony.
“The experience of governance is different from the experience used in political intrigues and the business circle. I don’t have the experience Ooni has because 10 years on the throne is no joke. By the grace of God, you will be one of my teachers. I have said this to all the obas who have visited me.”
Oba Ladoja made the remarks when he received Ooni at his Ondo Street, Bodija, Ibadan residence. Oba Ogunwusi expressed his regrets as he will not be able to attend Olubadan’s coronation, tomorrow, Friday, saying it coincides with his Olojo seclusion rites.
He urged the Olubadan-designate to stay focused and remain vigilant against detractors: “Kabiyesi, not everyone who pays you a visit means well. Be discerning. Your journey to this throne is divine, and you must not allow envy or distractions to derail you.
“Oba Ladoja is more than a leader. He is a father figure whose calmness, wisdom, and vast experience are invaluable at this time. Ibadan is not just another Yoruba city. It is a symbol of strength and resilience. Even some Oonis once lived here, which gives this land a unique spiritual and cultural relevance.”
The Ooni appealed for unity among Yoruba monarchs: “We cannot afford division among ourselves. If we fail to unite, we fail our ancestors and our people. Let us lead with dignity, build lasting peace, and leave behind legacies that future generations will be proud of.”
Ooni has since commenced the seven-day seclusion as part of the traditional rites preceding the annual Olojo Festival. The monarch declared that this year’s spiritual holiness would be dedicated to prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity and sustainable progress, admonishing relevant stakeholders particularly the traditional rulers across the length and breadth of the Oduduwa race worldwide to embrace unity as the only veritable tool for achieving these goals.
The Olojo Festival, meaning “the Day of the First Dawn” is celebrated to mark the day the Almighty created the earth. It is one of the oldest cultural festivals in Oduduwa land, symbolising creation, renewal and the spiritual authority of Ile-Ife as the cradle of mankind.
Speaking before going into seclusion, the Ooni prayed for Nigerians to experience divine blessings healing, and national recovery. He particularly urged Nigerians to embrace unity, peace, tolerance and love for one another: “Without these values, the country will continue to struggle with division and underdevelopment.”
He encouraged the citizens to rise above ethnic and religious differences, stressing that Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity: “I am praying for Nigeria and for Nigerians. I seek God’s mercy upon this land.
“May we all experience peace, unity, progress and the blessings of the Almighty. To the sons and daughters of Oduduwa everywhere, I urge you: be peaceful, be united, and let us work together for progress.”
He fcalled on political leaders to act responsibly, urging them to govern with fairness, justice and compassion: “Leadership must always prioritise the welfare of the people. No society thrives when its leaders ignore the cries of the masses.”
The seven-day seclusion is a period of spiritual purification during which the Ooni abstains from public appearances and engages in meditation, and prayer. It is seen as a sacred responsibility that connects the monarch with the divine and his ancestors, enabling him to intercede for his subjects and the nation.
The seclusion period also prepares the monarch for the climax of the Olojo Festival, when he will appear wearing the sacred Aare Crown, a relic believed to be the original crown of Oduduwa.
During the festival’s climax, the Ooni leads processions, ancestral rites and prayers at significant historical sites in Ile-Ife. These rituals reaffirm the town’s place as the spiritual heart of the Yoruba people and unite indigenes and visitors in celebration of cultural pride and heritage.
By dedicating this year’s seclusion to the well-being of Nigeria, the Ooni reinforces the role of traditional rulers as moral and spiritual guides. His message of unity, peace, and progress resonates strongly at a time when many Nigerians are yearning for hope, stability and a renewed sense of purpose.
For the Ooni, the week-long solitude is not just about preserving tradition, but about invoking blessings on his people, reminding all sons and daughters of Oduduwa to remain united, peaceful and progressive in the pursuit of a greater Nigeria.
